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Things to See & Do in San
Francisco
Guide to Sightseeing in San Francisco
San Francisco is where
Americans themselves love to holiday and as you'd expect there is no
shortage of things to do. From the historical delights of the older
pieces of architecture to the distinctly modern attractions
represented by the city's uniquely bohemian atmosphere you won't
want for something new or different to see.
The Go San Francisco Card gives you free entry to over 45
attractions, as well as shopping and dining discounts, free tours
and a guidebook. The card is available from the San Francisco
Visitor Information Center (900 Market St. Tel: +1 (1)415-391-2000
or Tel: +1 (1)800-887-9103) and costs:
1 day: USD49, adults; USD29, children
2 days: USD79, adults; USD39, children
3 days: USD109, adults; USD49, children
5 days: USD139, adults; USD59, children
7 days: USD159, adults; USD69, children
Fisherman's
Wharf
 As
touristy and expensive as Fisherman's Wharf is, it remains one of
San Francisco's main attractions, and for good reason. This stretch
of waterfront is filled with historic ships, phenomenal views of the
bay, myriad street performers, endless shopping, and rows of vendors
hawking fresh crab, seafood cocktails, and bread bowls filled with
clam chowder.
The area became a fishing centre during the Gold Rush era when
Chinese immigrants set up shop, so to speak, fishing offshore to
sell the flood of gold panners shrimp, salmon, oysters, and whatever
else they could extract from the sea. Italian fishermen were next,
and they set up stands along the beach offering seafood to anyone
who happened along. Nowadays, the stands remain, but the atmosphere
has turned more Disneyesque, especially along Jefferson Street,
parallel to the Wharf, where family attractions, such as Ripley's
Believe It or Not Museum and the Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf are
all lined up.
One of the city's most unique attractions, Musee Mecanique has moved
from its original location at the Cliff House to Pier 45 for a few
years. The large collection of antique coin-operated machines,
dating from the 1880s to the present, includes fortune-tellers,
moving dioramas made of toothpicks, and the famous Laughing Sal,
originally at Whitneys Playland from 1940 to 1972. Tel: +1
(1)415-346-2000.
Two blocks east of the heart of Fisherman's Wharf sits another
entertainment centre - Pier 39, where two levels of shops lure
visitors. The Aquarium of the Bay, a two-tiered Carousel, the 3-D
Turbo Ride, and the renowned barking sea lions, who plant themselves
at K-Dock, are also at the Pier. Beach Street and Embarcadero, Tel:
+1 (1)415-772-0700. Ghirardelli Square, on the opposite end of the
Wharf from Pier 39, was once home to the famed Ghirardelli chocolate
factory, and is now known for its speciality shops and ice cream
parlour.
The following are some of the top attractions along Fisherman's
Wharf:
San Francisco Maritime Museum.
900 Beach St at Polk.
Open: daily 10h00-17h00.
Admission: free.
Tel: +1 (1)415-561-6662.
Hyde Street Pier historic ships, including national landmark
vessels such as the 1886 Balclutha and 1890 ferry Eureka.
Open: daily 09h30-17h00.
Admission: USD5, adults; free under 17.
Tel: +1 (1)415-775-2665.
The USS Pampanito, World War II fleet submarine at Pier 45.
Open: daily 09h00-20h00.
Admission: USD9, adults; USD3 children (6-12).
Tel: +1 (1)415-775-1943.
SS Jeremiah O'Brien, last of the World War II Liberty Ships at
Pier 45.
Open: daily 10h00-16h00.
Admission: USD9, adults; USD4, children (6-14).
Tel: +1 (1)415-544-0100.
Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf.
145 Jefferson St.
Open: Mon-Fri 10h00-21h00; Sat-Sun 09h00-23h00.
Admission: USD12.95, adults; USD9.95, children (12-17).
Tel: +1 (1)800-439-4305.
Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum.
175 Jefferson St.
Open: Sun-Thu 10h00-22h00; Fri-Sat 10h00-00h00.
Admission: USD12.95, adults; USD7.95, children (5-12).
Tel: +1 (1)415-771-6188.
Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39.
Open: Mon-Sun 09h00-20h00 (summer); Mon-Fri 10h00-18h00, Sat-Sun
10h00-19h00 (winter).
Admission: USD13.95, adults; USD7.50, children.
Tel: +1 (1)415-623-5300.
Alcatraz
 Spanish
for "pelican", the name Alcatraz was taken from the original name
Isla de Alcatraces for the birds that used to reside on the island.
But the peaceful name is a deceptive one for what is the most famous
penitentiary in the world.
First the tiny island, also known as "The Rock", was used to lock up
war prisoners during the Spanish American War. Then, in 1934, it was
transformed into a maximum security prison where the likes of Al
Capone and Robert "Birdman" Stroud were jailed. It remained a prison
until 1963, and famously nobody ever escaped - or at least could be
proved to have escaped - plenty went missing in the treacherous
waters of the bay. Tourists can visit the barred cells while
listening to a cassette audio tour that tells about prison life in
the voices of its former inmates.
Alcatraz is accessible by Blue & Gold Fleet ferry, which departs
from Pier 41 every 30-40mins.
Open: 09h30-16h30 (until 18h30 in summer). Ferry and island tour
tickets: USD16.
Tel: +1 (1)415-705-5555.
San Francisco
Cable Car Rides
There is no better way to traverse the hills of downtown San
Francisco than by cable car. Powered downhill by gravity, only the
grip of the brake man on his lever stops the cars from plummeting
down the incline.
The cars have been a feature of the city for over a century since
Andrew Hallidie tested the first cable car system near the top of
Nob Hill at Clay and Jones Streets in August 1873. Despite attempts
in the mid-1940s to do away with the system altogether, the citizens
of San Francisco united and helped save the unique mode of
transport.
Today there are three lines running, the California Street line, Bay
and Taylor, and Hyde and Beach cars. It's worth getting on at the
beginning of the run at Powell and Market streets to watch the
drivers hand-turn the 8-ton, 18-foot-long cars. The other popular
turnaround is at Hyde and Beach.
The fare is USD3 per ride. The adventurous can try hanging off the
side for better views and more thrills. The termini are often packed
with lines of tourists, especially during the summer months, so be
prepared to wait.
For a full history of the cable cars, visit the Cable Car Museum at
the Washington and Mason cable car barn and powerhouse. The
powerhouse also offers views of the massive cables and machinery
used to run the system. The museum is located at 1201 Mason St at
Washington.
Open: daily 10h00-18h00 (Apr-Sep); 10h00-17h00 (Oct-Mar).
Admission: free.
Tel: +1 (1)415-474-1887.
Golden Gate
Bridge
 The
orange-red towers of the Golden Gate Bridge have long been the
symbol of San Francisco. Opened in 1937, the Golden Gate is the
second-longest single-span suspension bridge in the world,
connecting San Francisco to Marin County.
There are vista points and parking areas at the north-east and
south-east ends of the bridge, each offering different views of the
city, Alcatraz, and Marin headlands. A pathway is set aside for
pedestrians and bicyclists to cross. If you visit in summer though,
don't depend on a photo opportunity, chances are the fog will roll
in too thick to actually see anything from the bridge. But in spring
or fall or on a rare clear summer's day, the views are incomparable.
Note that if you drive over the bridge a car toll is collected on
the return into San Francisco. A fare hike from USD3 to USD5 was
recently approved and will go into effect in September.
At the base of the bridge in San Francisco sits Fort Point, an
1861-built fort that was once used to defend the bay and bristled
with 150 cannons. This is the best spot for a view looking up at the
bridge.
Open: Fri-Sun 10h00-17h00. Guided tours available.
Tel: +1 (1)415-556-1693.
SF MOMA
 Designed
by renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta, the architecture of the
building alone makes a visit to the San Francisco Museum of Modern
Art worth a visit. The museum presents a wide range of world-class
travelling art exhibits, including the likes of Magritte,
Lichtenstein, and Alexander Calder.
Its permanent collection features the works of 20th-century masters
such as Pollock, Mondrian, Rauschenberg, and Matisse. Photography,
architecture, and media arts exhibits add variety to the mix. The
museum's store offers the full gamut of art books.
151 Third St.
Open: Thu 10h00-21h00, Fri-Tue 10h00-18h00 (summer); Thu
11h00-21h00, Fri-Tue 11h00-18h00 (winter).
Admission: USD12.50, adults; free under 12. Admission is free of
charge every first Tuesday of the month and half price after 18h00
on Thu.
Tel: +1 (1)415-357-4000.
Golden Gate
Park
It's hard to believe that this stretch of lakes, waterfalls, gardens
and trails was once 1017 acres of barren sand dunes. Golden Gate
Park is now the largest man-made ornamental park in the world,
running three miles long and a half-mile wide. There is a full day's
worth of activities within the park itself, including 12 miles of
bridle paths, Japanese Tea Gardens, a band concourse, an archery
range, a fly-casting pool, a bison enclosure and the California
Academy of Sciences - which features the Steinhart Aquarium,
Morrison Planetarium and Natural History Museum.
The Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, containing 6000
species of rare and unusual plants, is a highlight not to be missed,
as is the windmill on the west end of the park. Built 95 years ago
to irrigate the park it is a popular meeting spot. If you fancy
seeing the park from a different perspective you can take a
peddleboat out on Stow Lake, or hire a horse for an hour or two for
a canter along the many pathways.
Golden Gate Park is bounded by Fulton Street to the north, Lincoln
Street to the south, the Great Highway to the west, and Stanyan
Street to the east.
The Haight
The Haight still attracts visitors in search of the legendary hippie
culture of the '60s Summer of Love era. There are a few lingering
hippie types from that time, and a few shops still sell tie-dye
clothes and flared trousers (mostly to tourists), but the Haight is
now more of a commercial centre with a bohemian flair rather than a
blast from the past.
The Upper Haight, from Stanyan to Masonic, has become a shopping
zone with a few hip bars and restaurants, while the Lower Haight,
from Divisadero to Webster, is a more diverse neighbourhood, filled
with grittier bars and a plethora of music stores. Just walking
around the area on a weekend is perfect for people watching, and
you'll see many wonderful fashions on show both in the shop windows
and on the passers-by.
Twin Peaks is not far from the Haight and the top offers some of the
best views of the city, though it's no surprise that the fog
sometimes gets in the way.
 Chinatown
One of the most colourful and busiest areas of the city, San
Francisco's Chinatown is home to one of North America's largest
Chinese communities. The ornate Dragon Gate, given to the city by
the Republic of China in 1969, marks the entrance at Bush and Grant
Streets.
The main streets are Grant and Stockton from Bush to Columbus. Shops
selling antiques, silk, jade and other artefacts are interspersed
with tacky souvenir shops and authentic Chinese restaurants.
Visitors can watch how fortune cookies are made at the Golden Gate
Fortune Cookie Company at 56 Ross Alley between Washington and
Jackson Streets (Open: 07h00-20h30, Tel: +1 (1)415-781-3956). The
1852-built Old St Mary's Church at California and Grant is one of
the oldest buildings in the city.
The Castro
The Castro district, located in the Upper Market Street region, is
one of San Francisco's liveliest neighbourhoods. San Francisco is
justly famous for its liberalism and the Castro is the heart of the
alternative cultures that have made the city their home over the
years.
This primarily gay area is marked by rainbow flags, and includes
popular restaurants, bars and the historic Castro Theater movie
palace. Castro Street itself is the home of San Francisco's festive
Halloween celebration, attracting half a million revellers a year.
To learn about the history and culture of this community, the Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society Museum is located
nearby.
657 Mission St.
Open: Tue-Sat 13h00-17h00.
Tel: +1 (1)415-777-5455.
Coit Tower
 Coit
Tower, located on top of Telegraph Hill, is named for Lillie
Hitchcock Coit who, in 1929, donated the money to construct a
memorial to volunteer firemen.
Some believe the tower is shaped as a fire hose nozzle in honour of
those who fought in the 1906 earthquake fires. The lobby is painted
with murals from the Depression era, created by 20 different
artists. There is also a small history museum inside. For some of
the best panoramic views of the city, take the elevator to the top
of the 210-foot tower.
1 Telegraph Hill Blvd.
Open: daily 10h00-17h00.
Elevator fee: USD3.
Tel: +1 (1)415-362-0808.
 Lombard
Street
Dubbed the "crookedest street in the world," Lombard Street baits
visiting drivers with its eight hairpin turns on a 40-degree slope.
One of San Francisco's most famous sights the street has appeared in
numerous movies but seeing it for yourself brings home just how
steep it actually is.
The street is lined with manicured pink floral displays, making for
beautiful photos, and at the bottom there are always groups of
tourists clicking away as the cars come down the street. At the top,
lineups of other visitors wait to test their driving skills by
slowly winding around the curves. Just check the brakes before
heading down...
Exploratorium/Palace of Fine Arts
 What
was supposed to be a transient blip on the San Francisco landscape
has become one of the city's longstanding architectural delights.
The Palace of Fine Arts was built in 1915 for the Panama Pacific
Exposition in honour of the completion of the Panama Canal. The
Greco-Roman structure was refurbished in the 1960s and its majestic
columns, pond and grounds are now a favourite wedding photo spot as
well as a relaxing stop for locals and tourists alike.
Today the building is home to one of the city's most beloved
museums, the Exploratorium, which hosts more than 600 science and
art exhibits, including the Tactile Dome, an experiential maze
designed to disorient the senses.
3601 Lyon St at Marina Blvd.
Tel: +1 (1)415-397-5673.
City Hall and the Dolores
Mission
Another architectural landmark in San Francisco is its own city
government building, first opened in 1915 and now designated a
national landmark. City Hall, which spans two city blocks on Van
Ness, was modelled after St Peter's Basilica in Rome and the gold
dome that tops it is the tallest in the country. The beaux-arts
building was damaged in the 1989 earthquake, and renovated from
1995-1999. Tours are available, Tel: +1 (1)415-554-4933. The Museum
of the City of San Francisco has an exhibit area at the City Hall
South Light Court on Grove and Van Ness.
Open: Mon-Fri 08h00-20h00; Sat 12h00-16h00.
If your appetite for architecture still isn't assuaged you should
seek out the Dolores Mission. Located in the heart of the Mission
District, San Francisco's Latino neighbourhood, the mission is the
oldest structure in the city. Also called the Mission San Francisco
de Assisi, it is the only one of California's 21 missions to be
established by Father Junipero Serra. There are gardens and a
cemetery on the premises as well.
3321 16th St.
Open: daily 09h00-16h00.
Tel: +1 (1)415-621-8203.
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